Gas conversion burner



Nov. 7, 1961 E. R. OCATHEY GAS CONVERSION BURNER Filed Aug. 16, 1957 ,agvkENToR mm mm furl Z0 51 D/6 ATTORNEY ates Earl f This invention relates to heating equipment, and more particularly to a gas burner.

The object of the invention is to provide a gas conversion burner which is especially. suitable for use in installations which are to be converted from a set-up wherein oil is burned as a fuel, to a set-up wherein gas is to be burned as a fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas conversion burner which is adapted to be used in installations wherein gas is to be burned instead of oil as a fuel as for example in areas wherein the user of the fuel is able to purchase gas at a lower cost than the cost of oil as a fuel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gas burner which can be mounted in or adapted to different types of fireboxes without requiring any modification of the firebox, and wherein the burner of the present invention can be used for replacing hinged rotary type oil burners which can be unlatched and swung out of the way, the burner of the present invention being constructed so that it is compact and rugged and wherein the burner is adaptable to different types of steam boilers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas conversion burner which will result in a savings in cost of fuel, as for example in such localities wherein gas companies provide reduced rates to industrial gas users who convert to gas and retain their old or existing burners on a standby basis for use during cold weather when there is a gas shortage, the gas conversion burner of the present invention being extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

, Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the courseof the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the gas conversion burner of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the gas conversion burner.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the spider for use with the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a gas conversion burner which is indicated generally by the numeral 38, and the burner 38 includes a manifold or housing 39 which has a tube 40 extending therethrough. Extending outwardly from the manifold 39 is a bushing 41, and a conduit 42 leads to the bushing 41, and the conduit 42 is adapted to be connected to a source of supply of gaseous fuel which is to be burned. A valve 43 is positioned in the conduit 42 for controlling the flow of fuel gas therethrough. The space between the tube 40 and manifold 39 is indicated by the numeral 44 and this space or passageway 44 has its rear end closed by a plate 45. A plurality of angularly arranged orifice members 46 serve to establish communication between the rear of the passageway 44 and the rear of the tube 40 whereby the gas can be conveyed from the passageway 44 into the tube or nozzle 4%. The rear end of the tube 40 is open as at 47 so that air can enter through the opening 47 in order to support combustion in the nozzle.

Surrounding the front portion of the tube 40 is a wall member 49, and a plate 48 closes the front of the passageway 44. A flange 50 extends outwardly from the wall member 49 and is secured thereto as by welding, and the flange 50 provides a means whereby the burner can be attached to a suitable supporting structure such as a boiler, furnace or the like. A handle 51 extends from the flange 50 for facilitating the handling or moving about of the burner.

The wall member 49 is provided with cutouts or openings 52 and 53, shown in FIGURE 1, and a tube or conduit 54 is adapted to extend through one of the openings 53, and the conduit 54 leads to a pilot 55, and the conduit 54 may be connected to a suitable source of supply of gaseous fuel.

Extending longitudinally through the tube 40 is a rod 56, and an air shutter 57 is connected to the rear end of the rod 56. A support member 58 extends rearwardly from the plate 45, and a bar 59 extends between the support member 58 and the rod 56. Connected to the front end of the rod 56 is a conical deflector 60, and the deflector 60 may be provided with ribs 61 which are arranged internally thereof, FIGURE 2. The numeral 62 indicates a spider which includes a circular portion 63 that engages the tube 40, and the spider 62 further includes radially extending arms 64 which project outwardly from a hub 65, and the hub 65 is mounted on the rod 56. The numeral 66 indicates a ring which is mounted on the outer end of the tube 40 for a purpose to be later described.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a gas conversion burner which is an improvement over other types of gas burners.

In the drawings there is shown the burner which is indicated by the numeral 38, and the burner 38 functions in substantially the following manner. Fuel is adapted to be supplied through the conduit 42 to the space 44, and this gaseous fuel enters the passageway 44 and then passes through the orifice members 46 and is discharged in the rear of the tube 40. This fuel mixes with air which enters through the rear open end 47, and this intermixed air and fuel is then burned. The flame is spread the desired amount by means of a conical spreader 60, and the rod 56 has one end secured to the deflector 60, while the other end of the rod 56 is connected to the air shutter 57 which may be' adjusted as desired. The rod 56 is partially supported by the spider 62, and the pilot 55 is arranged contiguous to the front of the tube 40.

The present invention is especially suitable for industrial uses as a jet industrial gas conversion burner. The gas conversion burner is of the atmospheric type and is adapted to be used for industrial purposes insteam plants where oil is presently being burned and wherein it is desired to burn gas as a prime fuel, and wherein the oil burner can be used on a standby or interruptable basis so that the user can purchase gas at a much lower rate or cost.

The gas burner of the present invention can be adapted to any type of firebox without modification of the same. The burner is especially intended to replace hinged rotary type oil burners which can be unlatched and swung out of the way and the change over from oil to gas and vice versa can be accomplished very quickly and easily. The procedure in the change over is as follows. The oil burner switch is turned olf, and then the rotary type oil burner is unlatched and swung out of the way. Then, the burner is fastened to the boiler with several bolts, and the union is connected to the gas supply line, and the main gas and pilot valves are turned on, and then a double pole double throw switch is turned to gas position so that the full automatic gas burner is now in operation. In order to change from gas to oil the reverse procedure is followed. A conventional double pole double throw switch can be used so that the oil burner cannot be turned on while the gas burner is on or vice versa. The gas conversion burner may use conventional automatic gas controls, safety devices, pilot lights and the like.

The burner of the present invention is extremely compact and a plurality of orifice members 46 are arranged in a preset pattern so that each orifice member shoots the gas into the venturi tube 40 at an angle such as a degree angle. This serves to create a whirlwind action Which thoroughly mixes the gases with air to thereby create a highly eflicient burner which is comparable to a power burner but which is lower in cost and cheaper to operate.

The burner of the present invention is adaptable to any type of steam boiler. The burner is provided with either a conical flame spreader 60, which is for a long firebox, or else an upshot flame spreader can be used for a short high firebox.

The burner shown in FIGURE 1 has the manifold block or plate 48 arranged as shown and the secondary air openings 52 and 53 can be provided. The lower opening 53 can accommodate a tube 54 which leads to the pilot 55, and the tube thus becomes a secondary air tube and is extended to the burner nozzle. This is an added safety feature that prevents all secondary air from the openings 52 and 53 from being shut-off at any time and also tends to hold the flame on the burner more securely and also permits the flame from the pilot 55 to be held more securely and also permits the pilot flame to be visually observed through the secondary air intake openings 52 or'53. The streamlined air shutter 57 permits the burner to be adjusted for perfect combustion. The cone flame spreader 60 is adapted to be used as previously described, and'safety controls can be provided for the pilot. The various adaptations make the burner more flexible and certain advantages are provided depending upon the type of firebox to which the conversion burner is to be attached. 7

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a flexible gas conversion burner which can be easily adapted to "most boilers and wherein the device can be built and installed cheaply and also there will be a savings in gas fuel as for example when gas companies give reduced rates to industrial gas users who convert to gas and retain their oil burners on a standby basis for use during cold weather when there is a gas shortage, and the use of the gas burners will also help solve the air pollution problem.

It will be seen that the plurality of orifices 46 provide multiple jets for the gas stream. The arrows shown in FIGURE 1 indicate the high pressure gas flow from the orifice members which creates a venturi whirlpool effect to thoroughly mix the gas with the air by natural means so as to create maximum etficiency. The ribs 61 can help reinforce the cone (St). The removable nozzle ring 66 serves several purposes, namely, it serves to help support the flame spreader, and it protects the pilot flame by eliminating turbulence to thereby give a more constant, steady, safe pilot flame and it also serves as a high temperature nozzle which helps protect the burner.

I claim:

1. In a gas conversion burner, a manifold adapted to be connected to a source of supply of gaseous fuel, a tube arranged within said manifold and extending longitudinally therethrough, the rear end of said tube being open and defining an air inlet, the space between said manifold and tube defining a passageway, front and rear plates closing the front and rear portions of said passageway, a wall member surrounding the front portion of said tube and said wall member being provided With a plurality of air intake openings, a pilot light positioned in the space between said wall member and tube, a flange extending outwardly from said wall member and secured thereto, and a plurality of U-shaped orifice members providing turns and establishing communication between the rear of said passageway and the rear of said tube.

2. In a gas conversion burner, a manifold adapted to be connected to a source of supply of gaseous fuel, a tube arranged within said manifold and extending longitudinally therethrough, the rear end of said tube being open and defining an air inlet, the space between said manifold and tube defining a passageway, front and rear plates closing the front and rear portions of said passageway, a wall member surrounding the front portion of said tube and said wall member being provided with a plurality of air intake openings, a pilot light positioned in the space between said wall member and tube, a flange extending outwardly from said wall member and secured thereto, and a plurality of orifice members establishing communication between the rear of said passageway and the rear of said tube, a rod extending longitudinally through said tube, a spider positioned in said tube and engaging the rod, a cone shaped member secured to the front end of said rod, an air shutter arranged contiguous to the rear end of said rod and affixed thereto, a support member extending rearwardly from said rear plate, and a bar extending between said support member and rod.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, and further including a ring positioned adjacent the front end of said tube and secured thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 686,979 Kloeb Nov. 19, 1901 1,006,324 Werner Oct. 17, 1911 1,411,589 Squire Apr. 4, 1922 2,222,822 Nordensson Nov. 26, 1940 2,304,200 Plein ct a1. Dec. 8, 1942 2,720,918 Buysse Oct. 18, 1955 

